Reversible window.



S. VIRAGH.

REVERSIBLE WINDOW.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET" 2.

Wm w WITNESSES l NVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN VIRAGH, 0F SWISSVALE, PENN SYLVANIA.

REVERSIBLE WINDOW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

Application filed January 31, 1912. Serial No. 674,447.

rangement of parts which will permit either sash to swing about a horizontal axis without manipulation of any of the parts of the window frame, to permit cleaning or washing of the outer surface of the sashes from the inside; to provide a construction which will retain all the advantages of appearance and operation of sliding sash windows now in use and in which the sashes may be swung or reversed in position only when brought to particular positions in the windowframe; and to provide a construction in which, when the sash is swung back to normal position in the frame, it is properly alined with the frame during such movement and will reach its normal position without friction or rubbing of the sash upon the window frame.

The invention comprises the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter de scribed and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of the inside of a window constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of one of the stiles of the window frame; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33, Fig. 2, the sashes being indicated in dotted lines; Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; Fig. 4; is a face view of the parts shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view on the line 55, Fig. 1, showing the sashes in their normal, upright positions in full lines and the inner sash in dotted lines in reversed position for cleaning; Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the outer sash reversed for cleaning; Fig. 7 is a detail view of one form of pivot for the lower sash; Fig. 8 is an end view of the same; Figs. 9 and 10 are similar detail views of the pivot for the upper sash, the flexible supporting means being omitted; and Fig. 11 is a detail view of a retaining bolt.

The window illustrated in the drawings comprises the usual horizontal head 1, sill 2 and vertical side members 3. The side members 3, as shown in Fig. 3, are of the usual box-like construction and are each formed of back box lining 4, inner and outer side box linings 5 and 6 and pulley stile 7. The box lining 5 on the inner face ofthe frame is shown as somewhat narrower than the outer box lining 6. Each stile 7 is secured between inner and outer box linings 5 and 6 and may be formed of two or more parts secured together but, as shown, comprlses a smgle strlp of material having an inwardly extending shoulder S,

on opposite sides of the frame, being engaged by the lower and inner sash 9. To retain the lower sash in upright position in the frame, vertical inner stops 10 are secured to the inner portions of the narrow parts of stiles 7. These stops extending vertically for the full length of the frame and, with the shoulders 8, forming grooves or runways 25 therein. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the lower sash 9 is provided with projections sliding in the grooves 25 to hold it in the frame. Obviously, lower sash 9 is fitted to the frame and against shoulders 8 by the horizontal adjustment of the stops 10 thereon in the usual manner against the lateral projections of lower sash 9. The outer part 11 of vertical stiles 7 is thicker than the inner portion thereof and is provided with a vertical groove 12, within which, portions of the-outer and upper sash 13 engage and travel. Center beads or stops 14 are secured to the inner faces of stiles 7 adjacent to the shoulders 8, and are fitted against the outer sash. These stops, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, extend clownwardly along the frame for a distance slightly greater than half the length thereof, for a purpose to be later described.

In the present construction, each of the sashes 9 and 13 is arranged to turn or swing about pivots fixed thereto which also form connections between the sash and its cords or other flexible supporting means. Speaking particularly with reference to the lower sash, this is shown as provided at each extreme lower corner with a socket 17 in which is seated a shaft or pin 15 comprising a cylinder of steel or other metal, having a reduced end 16 which protrudes from the sash to form a pivot therefor. To secure the pins 15 in their sockets, they are provided with holes or apertures 18 through which suitable securing screws 19 are passed into the body of the sash. The projecting reduced ends 16 of the pins also form connections for the flexible supports 20 on which the sash hangs. These flexible supports are shown as a cord, but may consist of a chain or other means. They may be secured directly to the pivot 16 or intervening parts may be provided to connect them to the pivots.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, I provide improved means of connection between the supporting means 20 and the pin 15, com prising a belt loop 21, of sheet metal having apertures 22 in the ends thereof, through which is passed one loop of an S shaped hook 23. The cord or rope 20 has its lower end passed through the other loop ofthe hook 523 and turned upon itself and firmly secured by an embracing clip 24, of sheet metal, the sides of which are bent upon and firmly pressed against the two thicknesses of cord within said clip to prevent the end of the cord from slipping out. In case the flexible supports are of chain or other similar construction, the upper portion of S shaped hook 23 is passed through the last link of such chain.

The cords 20 connected to the lower sash travel in the spaces 25 behind the stops 10 and, as is usual, are passed over pulleys 26 at the upper end of the frame, and connected at their other ends to counterweights 27. T 0 keep the lower sash in its normally upright position, it is provided ith suitable partially retractable retaining bolts 28, which may be of any preferred construction, and, as illustrated, are provided with springs 29 tending to hold them projected from the sash and in engagement with stops 10. To retract the bolts when desired, they are provided with laterally extending handles or knobs 3O projecting through and slidable along slots or apertures 30 in the inner faces of the sash stiles, as shown in Fig. 1.

It is intended that the lower sash shall reverse or swing only when brought to a particular position. This position is illus trated in full lines in Fig. 5. To prevent rotation or swinging movement of the lower sash at other positions in the frame, the sash is provided with retaining knobs, lugs or blocks 31 of any suitable construction, and shown as headed screws screwed into the sides of the lower sash. hese knobs or lugs are secured to the lower sash a fixed distance above or below the pins 15 heretofore referred to and project from the side stiles of the sash less than the length of the pivotal projections 16 upon which the sash turns. Knobs or projections 31, when the sash is tilted or swung, move into sockets, notches, or pockets 33 cut in the face or stops 10 and partially therethrough'. Theknobs or projections 31 are of slightly less length than the depth of the sockets or pockets 33 in such manner that they may readily enter thereinto. As shown in Fig. 7, the pivotal projections 16 are of greater length than the knobs 31, and project father from the sides ofthe sash than the depth of the sockets or pockets 33, in such manner that under no circumstances can they enter into the sockets 33 or pass out of engagement with the stops 10. As an additional safeguard for preventing rotation or swinging of the sash, except at the location referred to, upper notches or pockets 34 are provided in the inner faces of the stops 10. These notches 3 1 are spaced away from notches 33 a distance exactly equal to the distance along the sash between the knobs or projections 31 and the retaining bolts 28. The sockets 34:, similarly to the sockets 33 are out only part way into the stops 10. The

retaining bolts 28 are of such length as to project into the spaces 25 farther than the depth of notches 34: and are of such size that upon partial retraction, they pass out through sockets 341. The handles 30 are arranged to engage the ends 32 of slots 30 to prevent the bolts from being so far retracted as to move wholly out from the groove 25 behind the stop 10 when opposite any unmutilated portion of stop 10. Obviously, therefore, the lower sash can be rotated only when the lugs or projections 31 are opposite to the notches 33 and the retaining bolts 28 opposite to the notches 34:.

As an extra precaution to prevent improper manipulation of the sash, I provide lugs or knobs 60 on its side rails projecting part way into the grooves 25 and arranged to pass out from the grooves through notches 61 in stops 10. These knobs are preferably spaced such a distance from knobs 31 and the stops 10 are formed of such width that, upon swinging of the sash, knobs 31 will begin to enter their sockets 33 before the knobs 60 leave their notches 61. For this reason it is impossible to raise or lower the sash as a whole at any time after it has begun to swing. Knobs 60 and their notches 61 are not, however, essential to the invention and may be omitted if desired.

The upper sash is, in many respects, of the same construction as the lower sash. It is provided with pins having reduced ends 36, serving as pivotal projections, corresponding to pins 15 and their pivotal projections 16 on the lower sash. These pivots are fixedly secured to the upper sash by being driven endwise into sockets 37 in the side stiles of the upper sash just above the center of gravity thereof. The upper sash, therefore, differs from the lower sash in that it swings about its center instead of its lower edge. The upper sash is also provided with knobs or projections 38 located at a fixed distance from pivotal projections 36. These lugs are shown as headed screws of the same character as the screws 31 and are screwed into the side stiles of the upper sash on the same center line with the projections 36. The projections 36 also form a means of connection for the flexible supporting means for the upper sash. This flexible supporting means and the manner of its connection to the reduced ends 36 are the same as those used for the lower sash and need not be further described except to state that they comprise chains or cords 20 running over pulleys 40 in the upper part of the frame and connected to counterweights 41 in the usual manner.

As an additional safeguard for preventing rotation or swinging of the upper sash, except at a certain predetermined position of the sash, the frame of the window is provided with outer vertical side stops 12. These may be notched and of the same form as the stops 10, and extend the full length of the frame, but, as shown in Fig. 2, extend downwardly along the sides of the frame less than half the length thereof. In the face of the side stiles 7 of the window frame and adjacent to the vertical grooves 12 are pockets or sockets 43 with which the lugs or projections 38 on the outer and upper sash engage when the sash is being rotated into reversed position. These sockets 4:3 do not extend to the outer edge of the stiles 7 but are of sufiicient length to pro-- vide a free space within which the lugs or projections may move in operation of the window. Retractable retaining bolts of the type shown in Fig. 11 may also be used with the upper sash if desired, these being located at convenient points on the sash and preventing its reversal except when withdrawn. Such bolts are not essential, however, and may be omitted. My im proved window may also be provided with means for preventing the entrance of air, dust or rain from the outside. As shown, the meeting rails 44 of the lower sash and 45 of the upper sash are provided with beveled faces 4-6 which contact with each other when the window is closed. As shown in Fig. 3, the side rails of the lower sash bear against the shoulders 8 on the pulley stiles of the frame. The upper part of the lower sash is drawn toward these shoulders by op eration of the usual cam lock 48 which may be of any preferred construction. To force the lower rail 4:7 of the lower sash toward the shoulders 8, I provide a tightening strip or stop 19 which is secured to the sill of the window and extends across the same. This is provided with a beveled forward face 49 which contacts with a rounded or beveled corner 50 of the lower sash and when the latter is lowered to its normal position,

forces the rail 47 thereof outwardly. A similar tightening strip 51 is secured to the head of the window and is provided with beveled forward face 52 engaging with a rounded or beveled corner 53 of the upper sash to force the upper rail thereof against the center beads or stops 14. Obviously, other forms of means may be used for producing air tight joints along all of the contacting surfaces of the window.

The construction and operation of a win dc'w constructed according to my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the lower sash is wider than the upper sash. Either sash may be inserted into the frame or removed therefrom in assembling or disassembling the same, independently of the other. The lower sash slides up and down in the window, with the outer face thereof in engagement with the inwardly projecting shoulders 8 on pulley stiles 7. This sash is hung and placed in position against these shoulders and the side stops 10 are then secured to the frame of the window and fitted against the pivotal projections 16 and bolts 28, these two being lined up with each other. then so inserted into position in the frame, the lower sash may be moved up and down at will. To tilt, swing or reverse the sash intoposition for cleaning the outer surface thereof, it is moved or slid into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, that is, with its knobs or projections 31 opposite to the notches or pockets 33, and with the retractable retaining bolts 28 opposite to the gaps 34:. The bolts 28 are then partially withdrawn from the grooves or spaces 25 by manipulation of the handles 30 thereof, so that their end portions may be passed outwardly through the notches 3st and per mit the sash to swing or tilt about the pro jections 16 as pivots. Upon such movement of the sash, the knobs or projections 31 enter into the notches or pockets 33 in the stops 10. As the sash is swung gradually down into horizontal position, the upward pull on its lower edge caused by the influence of the counterweights causes projections 31 to rise up against shoulders or upper edges 54 of sockets 33, the effect being that from now on the sash turns around lugs 31 as pivots. This effect is obtained by making the stops 10 at least as wide as the distance between the centers of the projections 31 and pivots 36. In other words, the notches 33 are not sufficiently long to permit the projections 31 to wholly escape through the notches 33.

hen the sash has been moved to its ex treme position of reversal, it occupies the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. The sash is brought back to normal position by grasping the upper rail thereof and swinging it upwardly. The sockets or notches 33 in the opposite side stops 10 of the frame, are so cut or formed as to each be exactly the same distance above the sillof the frame. Consequently, the upper edges or shoulders at of the sockets 33 are horizontally in line with each other. In turning the sash back to normal position, it first tilts or swings about the projections 31 as pivots, these each engaging with a shoulder 54 in one of the sockets 33 by reason of the upward pull exerted on lower end of sash by counterweights 27. As the window swings upwardly, its pivotal projections 16 are moved downwardly along the grooves or spaces 25. The swinging of the sash about the knobs or projections 31 as pivots, causes the sash to move into normal position with proper alinement to the window frame and this prevents the possibilitv of the sash marring or injuring the finished surface of the frame during such movement. To prevent the lower outward corner 55 of the sash from injuring any portion of the shoulders 8 upon the pulley stiles of the frame, I provide holding blocks 56, set in grooves 25 and having forward flat faces against which the pivotal projections 16 may bear. These blocks are located opposite to the sockets or notches 33, and obviously cause the sash to turn about the projections 16 as pivots instead of turning upon the lower edge 55 of the sash. The sockets 33 may be formed in the holding blocks 56 when the knobs 31 are below the projections as heretofore stated. .Vhen the sash has been moved back to normal position, the retaining bolts 28 are snapped into position in the grooves and the sash may again be moved up and down as desired.

The upper sash must be assembled in the frame in a different manner from the lower sash. To assemble the upper sash, its pivots are inserted into their sockets and flexible supporting means 20 secured thereto. The sash is then held in an oblique position with one side stile lower than the other. The pivots 35 and lug 38 of the higher stile are inserted simultaneously in groove 12 and pocket 3 in pulley stile 7 located on this side of the frame. The other pulley stile 7 has its inner face cut away on a curve adjacent to the pocket 43 to provide a notch 57, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and t. This notch provides a means of entrance for the knob or projection 38 on the upper sash into its socket or pocket 13. The side stile of the sash which has been held lower is now raised until the sash assumes a horizontal position, the knob or projection 38 entering the socket at the same time that pivot 35 enters groove 12. The sash may then be tilted or swung about its knobs or projections 38 as pivots until it assumes a vertical position when it may be moved or slid up and down in the usual manner. To

reverse the upper sash it must be moved downwardly in the frame. The side stops 12 prevent any tilting or swinging move- The upper sash reverses in the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 6. To limit the upper sash to this one position for reversing, a positioning block 58, shown as a small block of wood or other material, is secured in one or both corners of the frame. It is usual to lower or move the upper sash downwardly by grasping the lower rail thereof and pulling downwardly. If a slight inward pull is added as soon as the top of the sash clears stops 42, it will tilt slightly until its lower rail contacts with the upper surface of block 58. In this position, the knobs 38 are in line with the gaps or notches 13 and the lower rail of the sash may then be swung inwardly and the sash turned about its projections 36 as pivots, the knobs 38 entering the sockets 43. These sockets 13 in the opposite pulley stiles 7 of the frame are both exactly of the same size and are located exactly the same distance above the sill of the frame. Consequently, their lower edges or shoulders 62 and upper shoulders 63 are horizontally in line with each other. The engagement of the lugs 38 with these alined shoulders alines the sash during its tilting movement in the frame and prevents it at every stage of its rotating movement from binding in the frame or scraping or otherwise marring its painted surfaces. During the tilting movement of the upper sash, its lugs 38 first come into engagement with lower shoulders 62 of sockets 4L3 and from then on the sash swings on lugs 38 as pivots and automatically alines with the frame for the reasons stated. Fig. 6 shows the upper sash in dotted lines in reversed position. hen the upper sash is being rotated back toward its normal, upright position, lugs 38 come into engagement with upper shoulders 63 of sockets 13, after which the sash completes its rotation on lugs 38 as pivots, and for the reasons stated previously, returns to its normal, upright position properly alined with the frame, after which it can be slid up and down in the usual manner.

It will be observed that the bands or loops 21 which form part of the connections between the supporting means and the pivots, are cut away as shown in Fig. 7, to form gaps 59 through which the knobs or projections 31 move during oscillation or tilting of the sashes. The notch 57 adjacent to socket as in one of pulley stiles is preferably covered or filled in, after hanging of the outer sash, in the manner shown in Figs. 4-, 4 with a bent piece of metal 64: for the purpose of filling the gap in the shoulder 62 of socket as. I also intend to provide all of the notches 33, 34;, 61 and 43 with a suitable lining of sheet metal to reduce wear and prevent injury to the frame. Such a lining is shown for the socket 43 in Fig. 4:- Such linings may obviously be dispensed with if desired.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a frame having stiles and provided with grooves and stops, a sash slidable in said frame, said sash hav ing pivots traveling in said grooves, retaining means on said sash, projecting into said grooves, the stops on said frame being provided with notches communicating with the grooves therein, whereby the sash may turn upon its pivots and the retaining means pass into the notches, the distance between said pivots and retaining means being no greater than the width of said stops.

2. The combination of a frame having stiles provided with runways and stops, a sash slidable along said runways, said sash having pivotal projections traveling in said runways, retaining knobs on said sash, said stops being provided with notches communicating with and of less depth than said runways, whereby the sash can turn upon its pivotal projections and the retaining knobs move into the notches, the distance between said projections and knobs being less than the width of said stops.

3. The combination of a frame having stiles provided with grooves and stops, a sash slidable in said frame. said sash having projecting pivot-s engaged in said grooves, retaining knobs on said sash, said stops being provided with notches communicating with said grooves, said grooves being of less depth than the length of said pivots, whereby the sash may turn upon its pivots and the retaining knobs pass into the notches, and said pivots are prevented from escaping through said notches.

4:. The combination of a frame provided with stiles having grooves, sash slidable in said frame, said sash having projecting pivots engaged in said grooves, retaining knobs on said sash, said stiles being provided with notches communicating with said grooves, the retaining knobs being of less length and said notches of less depth than the length of the pivots, whereby the sash may turn upon its pivots and the retaining knobs pass into the notches.

5. The combination with a frame having side stiles provided with vertical runways therein, a sash slidable in said frame, pivots on said sash projecting into said runways, retaining knobs on said sash, said frames being provided with notches for cooperation with said retaining knobs, and holding blocks seated in said runways opposite said notches and adapted to engage said pivots to prevent injury to the frame when the sash is rotated.

6. The combination with a frame having side stiles provided with inwardly projecting shoulders and stops, said shoulders and stops forming runways, a sash movable along said runways and fitting against said shoulders, pivots on said sash projecting into said runways, retaining knobs on said sash, said stops being provided with notches for cooperating with said retaining knobs, and bearing blocks seated in said runways opposite said notches, said pivots being adapted to engage with said bearing blocks and the sash to rotate when said pivots are so engaged.

7. The combination of a frame having side stiles provided with vertical runways, a sash slidable between said stiles and having pivots on its opposite vertical members traveling in said runways, retaining projections on said sash adjacent to said pivots, said frame being formed with pockets to receive said projections when the sash is turned, the distance between said projections and pivots being no greater than the length of said pockets, and a spring pressed retaining member on said sash projecting into one of said runways to prevent turning f the sash except when desired.

8. The combination of a frame having side stiles, provided with runways, a sash slidable between said stiles and having pivots on its opposite members movable in said runways, retaining projections on said sash adjacent to said pivots, said stile-s being formed with pockets to receive said projections when the sash is turned, and retract able retaining bolts on said sash engaging with said runways, said bolts having means engaging the sash to prevent entire withdrawal of the bolts from the runways, the frame being formed with notches through which the retaining bolts may pass when retracted.

9. The combination of a window frame having side stiles provided with runways, a sash slidable between said. stiles and having pivots projecting into said runways, retaining projections on the sash engaging said runways, retractable retaining bolts on said sash, means on the sash for preventing entire withdrawal of the bolts from said runways, the bolts being spaced from said projections, said frame being provided with spaced notches for cooperation with said bolts and projections.

10. The'combination of a window frame having side stiles, stops and shoulders on the stiles forming runways, a sash slidable along said runways and having pivots projecting thereinto, said sash being provided on each side stile with a plurality of projections spaced from said pivots, said stops In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set being provided with notches, the notches my hand. and projections being so arranged that when STEPHEN VIRAGH the sash is turned upon its pivots the projections nearest to the pivots engage With Vitnesses:

their notches before the projections farthest E. L. HYDE,

from the pivots pass through their notches. MARY E. CAHooN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Yatents, Washington, I). G." 

